Carphone Warehouse to pitch Irish broadband

Carphone Warehouse is set to step into the Irish broadband market with the launch of three packages under its TalkTalk service.

The mobile phone retailer expects to unveil its TalkTalk Broadband products before Christmas. "The plan is to have TalkTalk Broadband available by the end of the year and it will be available to both new and existing TalkTalk customers. We are very excited about it and think it will be a great addition to our current product suite," a spokeswoman for Carphone Warehouse told ENN.

"In line with all TalkTalk plans we are planning to keep TalkTalk Broadband straightforward and flexible and ensuring great value for the Irish consumer. Consumers will be able to choose the broadband speed that suits them best and bundle with any of our existing TalkTalk packages, Talk1, Talk2 and Talk3 to ensure they are getting the product meets their needs," said the spokeswoman.

Two of the packages available will have download speeds of 1Mbs and 2Mbps respectively with the possibility of other speeds also being available. The spokeswoman said Carphone Warehouse did not want to release any other details regarding the products, including the prices it intends to charge, until closer to the launch.

Carphone Warehouse is just the latest in a recent glut of players from the mobile world moving into the increasingly competitive broadband market with Vodafone, O2, and Three Ireland all launching products in recent months. News of the mobile phone retailer's entry into the broadband market comes as it announces a new service aimed at Irish businesses.

On Tuesday, Carphone Warehouse launched TalkTalk Business, a new telecoms service that comes in three different calls and line rental bundles. Customers can also avail of a selection of add-ons designed to make mobile and international calls more cost effective.

TalkTalk Business will offer customers an online account through the website www.talktalkbusiness.ie, allowing companies to manage aspects of their accounts such as viewing recent bills and most frequently dialled numbers, as well as the option to avail of e-billing.

"We are delighted to expand our services to the business sector in Ireland. TalkTalk is the obvious choice for businesses who are looking for reliability, value for money and a quality service," John Bermingham, country manager of TalkTalk.